A Pictorial History

FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES

Steve Marsh & Stuart Allen

1999-00 F.A. Carling Premiership

West Ham's reluctant venture into the European twilight world of the InterToto Cup turned into an afternoon of almost total embarrassment at Upton Park. A stroll in the midsummer sunshine, which they had hope would lead eventually lead to a place in the UEFA Cup next season, became an uncomfortable sweat that will accompany them to the second leg in Helsinki next Saturday when the Finnish part-timers have to make up only the slimmest of deficits to claim a semi-final appearance. West Ham had only a 17th minute goal by Paul Kitson to show for a first leg of utter dominance which fostered a dangerous complacency and few in a grim 11,098 East End crowd were laughing at the Scandinavian visitors whose name means 'jokers.'

FC JOKERIT (Finland) : Intertoto Cup (Third Round ~ 1st Leg)

FC JOKERIT (Finland) : Intertoto Cup (Third Round ~ 2nd Leg)

West Ham take a fragile lead to Holland thanks to a wonder strike from Frank Lampard. The Hammers midfielder gave them a dream start to this InterTwoBob Cup semi-final with a stunning goal after only six minutes. But hopes of an early goal would lead to a landslide victory proved unfounded as Heerenveen slowly snuffed out West Ham’s threats. Lampard struck with an awesome finish from fully 30 yards. He dispossessed midfielder Arek Radomski in the centre circle and strode through the gulf provided by Heerenveen’s defence before unleashing a magnificent right-foot shot. South African World Cup keeper Hans Vonk could only watch as the ball clipped the underside of the bar on its way into the top corner. But West Ham failed to capitalise on their early dominance and now have their work cut out in the second leg.

Frank Lampard’s sensational saving ace wiped the smiles off the Jokers’ faces. And although that equaliser enabled Hammers to keep their European torch burning, they knew the Intertoto flame could so easily have been snuffed out in the drizzle of Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium. Indeed, West Ham’s double-Dutch date with Heerenveen could have been assured inside the opening five minutes. However, Kitson’s point-blank header was miraculously tipped over by Laaksonen, who then stood helplessly as Lampard scorched the post with a sizzling 25-yarder. Hammers certainly had the bit between their teeth early on as debutant Jones was booked for tugging Ristila, before Lomas was involved in an unsightly, unpunished scuffle with Koskela. But after adopting the same 10-man defensive blanket that had served them so well at Upton Park, the Jokers then dealt West Ham a cruel hand on 33 minutes when Koskela spun Lampard in the box and fired a low 15-yarder across the greasy surface and beyond Hislop. After the break, Lampard, Di Canio and Keller each went wide in their quest for the leveller but with both legs and ideas in short supply, extra-time was looming on the horizon in the land of the midnight sun. On 70 minutes, however, Di Canio was upended on the edge of the box, and it was the cue for Lampard to arrow an unstoppable right-footed 18-yard free-kick over the wall and under the bar. Hammers’ progress into the next round was all but assured with a quarter-hour left when Koskela’s rash two-footed tackle from behind saw Di Canio carried off as the Finn was sent off.

Paulo Wanchope nuged West Ham closer to the UEFA Cup with a goal that could be worth £3million. That’s how much Hammers chiefs reckon they will scoop from TV rights and sponsorship with a decent run in Europe. A first-half strike from Wanchope saw off Heerenveen and sealed West Ham’s place in the InterTwoBob Cup where they will face classy French side Metz in the two-legged final. Heerenveen kept Shaka Hislop busy with long-range shots but they needed to be far less predicatable with their attacking play to score the three goals they needed for survival. Hammers seized the lead in the 25th minute. Di Canio’s short corner reached Frank Lampard 30 yards out and his stinging drive was parried by Vonk – but only to Wanchope, who rammed the ball into the roof of the net from close range. Bodewijn Pahlplatz almost replied immediately but Hislop held his effort at the second attempt. Pahlpatz was the most effective Heerenveen player on the night and Hislop denied him again in the 32nd minute, tipping round the post. Rio Ferdinand and Di Canio combined to feed Sinclair moments later but Vonk was on hand to deny him.

Hislop denied Radoslav Samardzic with his best save of the night moments before the break.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : F.A. Carling Premiership

FC METZ (France) : Intertoto Cup (Final ~ 1st Leg)

Hislop

Potts

Minto

Lomas

Ferdinand R.

Foe (Kitson)

Sinclair

Di Canio

Wanchope

Lampard

Moncur

Upton Park

0 - 1

10 August 1999

Att: 25,372

The around-goal frailty already evident in West Ham’s outings this season was exposed at Upton Park, when their French visitors went away with a vital Intertoto Cup final first leg lead – leaving in ruins hapless Hammers’ hopes of sneaking into Europe proper through the backdoor.

Metz proved to be the first really useful opposition encountered up to now, efficient enough to suggest that the return leg in France will be little more than a formality for them. For all their huffing and puffing in attack, West Ham have been horribly short of finishing power on the evidence provided so far. Tuesday was no different… except that this time Hammers could conjure nothing from half-chances, rather than only the bare minimum from a string of openings. Di Canio and Wanchope, as usual, had plenty of tricks, and Hammers plenty of the ball. But overall there was no real cutting edge against adversaries who were thoroughly well organised and composed in defence. In fact, Hammers were so short of ideas of how to penetrate opponents with numbers behind the ball that Metz must be gloating about the second leg. For it’s going to take something more than our favourites have shown yet for West Ham to win by a two-goal margin in France, as they must now. The so-important away goal for Metz came after just 11 minutes when lost defensive concentration allowed the otherwise largely ineffective Newcastle discard Saha to head home an excellent Boffin cross. Would this have befallen had injury-riven Hammers been able to field anything like a normal rearguard? Ce la vie! Home frustration was compounded when the golden touch hitherto illuminating Frank Lampard’s season deserted him with a 60th minute penalty chance after Di Canio was felled. The spot-kick, not that badly struck, was well saved by Letizi. Both players were booked in the ensuing scramble. Similarly, the element of fortune needed as other balls flashed across the Metz box was also lacking. But some of us will not be too despondent over a burst Euro’ bubble.

West Ham United booked their place in the UEFA Cup with a 3-1 win at FC Metz in the final of the Intertoto Cup on this day in 1999. The Hammers trailed 1-0 from a first leg defeat at the Boleyn Ground, but overcame that setback in style in France. Trevor Sinclair put West Ham 1-0 up in the first half, and Frank Lampard gave them the advantage in the tie for the first time on 43 minutes. Metz gave themselves hope with a Nenad Jestrovic goal with 68 minutes played, but the Hammers won the tie with a Paulo Wanchope goal ten minutes later. West Ham would go on to see off Osijek in the first round of the UEFA Cup, but bowed out in round two to Steaua Bucharest.

BRADFORD CITY : F.A. Carling Premiership

MICHAEL CARRICK makes his Premiership bow against BRADFORD CITY at Valley Parade

WATFORD : F.A. Carling Premiership

IGOR STIMAC makes his Hammers debut against WATFORD at Upton Park

NK OSIJEK : UEFA Cup (First Round - 1st Leg)

Upton Park

3 - 0 (Di Canio, Wanchope, Lampard)

16th September 1999

Att: 25,331

Hislop

Potts

Margas

Lomas

Stimac

Moncur (Foe)

Sinclair

Keller

Di Canio (Kitson)

Lampard

Wanchope

West Ham returned to top-level European football for the first time in more than 18 years with a bang. The happy Hammers gave their fans a Euro treat at Upton Park as they swept aside Osijek of Croatia with ease in the UEFA Cup first round, first leg. Goals from Paulo Wanchope, Paolo Di Canio and Frank Lampard gave Harry Redknapp's men a three-goal cushion to take to Eastern Europe in a fortnight. Osijek's recent European experience may be far greater than West Ham's but only a Balkan nightmare will stop the Premiership club progressing to the second round.

Wanchope tapped in a simple opener just before half-time for the Intertoto qualifiers, Osijek's goalkeeper Mario Galinovic gifted Di Canio the second moments after the restart and Lampard crashed in the third as the Hammers cruised home.

EVERTON : F.A. Carling Premiership

COVENTRY CITY : F.A. Carling Premiership

ARSENAL : F.A. Carling Premiership

AFC BOURNEMOUTH : Worthington Cup (Third Round)

MIDDLESBROUGH : F.A. Carling Premiership

SUNDERLAND : F.A. Carling Premiership

LIVERPOOL : F.A. Carling Premiership

LEEDS UNITED : F.A. Carling Premiership

NK OSIJEK : UEFA CUP (First Round - 2nd Leg)

ADAM NEWTON makes his Hammers debut against COVENTRY CITY at Highfield Road

Gradski Vrt

3 - 1 (Foe, Kitson, Ruddock) agg 6 - 2

30 September 1999

Att: 15,000

Hislop

Potts

Ferdinand (Ruddock)

Lomas

Stimac

Foe

Sinclair (Newton)

Kitson

Di Canio (Wanchope)

Lampard

Keller

Paul Kitson, West Ham's forgotten striker, netted the crucial first goal to keep the Hammers on the European trail. The former Newcastle striker has found himself on the bench all season as the flamboyant Paulo Wanchope and Paolo Di Canio grabbed the headlines. But Harry Redknapp turned to the 28-year-old in Osijek and Kitson repaid his faith with the first away goal which effectively killed off the tie. Sub Neil Ruddock smashed home a late goal and Marc Vivien Foe got the third in stoppage time after Stanko Bubalo had equalised in the second-half - but it was Kitson's strike which knocked the fight out of the Croatian side.

STEAUA BUCHAREST : UEFA Cup (Second Round 1st Leg)

East London's football Europhiles were given food for thought after West Ham's European adventure lost its gloss in Bucharest. The Hammers, who romped gleefully through this summer's Intertoto and made light work of Osijek in the UEFA Cup first round, were convincingly beaten in the wind and rain by Steaua Bucharest. Harry Redknapp's men toiled hard against the Romanians in the first leg of the UEFA Cup second round but were deservedly beaten on a rotten night in Eastern Europe. A goal in each half gave the hosts a two-goal cushion to take to Upton Park but Frank Lampard almost put a different complexion on the tie with an 80th minute header which was ruled out for offside. The England midfielder headed against the bar four minutes from time and saw a free-kick deflected wide as the Premiership side fought hard for a vital away goal. But Steaua held out to spark celebrations in the Romanian capital.

Hislop

Potts (Margas)

Ruddock

Lomas

Ferdinand

Foe

Sinclair

Moncur

Di Canio (Cole)

Lampard

Wanchope

Stadion Steaua

0 - 2

21 October 1999

Att: 12,500

West Ham's European adventure came to a frustrating end on a bad-tempered night at Upton Park. The Hammers created enough chances to win a hatful of games against Steaua Bucharest but somehow failed to find the net even once to bow out 2-0 on aggregate. But the main talking point was fresh controversy surrounding Neil Ruddock just 24 hours after being cleared of any wrongdoing in the Patrick Vieira spitting incident. The West Ham defender appeared to head-butt Steaua Bucharest's Albert Duro after just 16 minutes of a tempestuous first half of the second round, second-leg UEFA Cup clash. Home players were incensed that Duro had escaped at least a yellow card for a series of fouls including one terrible tackle from behind on the returning Paolo di Canio. And it appeared as if Ruddock decided to take matters in his own hands as Czech referee Lubomir Pucek lost control of the game. Thankfully the second half was played in a better spirit but that was of little consolation to Harry Redknapp's side who have now scored just one goal in their last six games. After a minutes silence to mourn the loss of former Hammers stars Johnny Byrne and Dave Bickles, the Upton Park faithful turned up the volume to a deafening level that they kept up until the final whistle. And the passion of the fans seemed to transmit itself to the players as tempers threatened to boil over. Duro was lucky to escape a booking for a terrible challenge from behind on di Canio after 14 minutes and seconds later fouled the Italian again right in front of the assistant referee. Again no yellow card was produced but from the resulting free-kick West Ham sought to dish out some justice of their own, Neil Ruddock heading over before then appearing to headbutt Duro as he lay on the ground. Amazingly the referees' cards remained in his pocket once more as Ruddock departed the scene quickly and laughably the first caution was given to Laurentiu Reghecampf for kicking the ball away as West Ham were awarded a free-kick. Eventually Duro was booked just before the half hour along with Steve Lomas as the challenges flew in thick and fast.

Show Racism the RED Card poster given free Inside the programme

Manager: Harry Redknapp

Harry Redknapp's Hammers made the perfect start to the 1999/00 Premier League season, with this precious victory over London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur at the Boleyn Ground. While this was the Club's first league meeting of the new season, West Ham were well into their stride come 7 August, having already come through four Intertoto Cup clashes unscathed. With a total of just five goals in those European clashes, this rather went to form too, being settled by a solitary strike. A comparatively well-rested Spurs held firm for the best part of 45 minutes, before Frank Lampard struck the eventual winner on the stroke of half time, much to the approval of most of the 26,010-strong crowd. As it turned out, this was the first of eleven home league wins that season, as Redknapp guided West Ham to a creditable ninth-place finish, just two points above Spurs.

Villa Park

2 - 2 (Sinclair, [og])

16 August 1999

Att: 26,250

Referee: M. Riley

Hislop

Pearce

Potts

Sinclair

Di Canio

Wanchope

Foe

Ferdinand

Moncur (Kitson)

Lampard

Minto (Keller)

Dion Dublin went from hero to villain as Trevor Sinclair's last-gasp equaliser kept Aston Villa off the top of the Premiership. Dublin, whose two goals looked to have sent his side heading for pole position, lost possession three minutes into stoppage time, and West Ham took advantage to equalise at Villa Park. Paulo Wanchope fed Frank Lampard, and the Costa Rican who had continued his run helped the ball on to the unmarked Sinclair. His nerve held, and he was able to slip his shot beyond David James and inside the far post to end Villa's perfect start to the season. Victory would have put John Gregory's men above Manchester United, but Sinclair's goal means the champions remain on top with the midlanders second. Dublin's two goals had looked set to spare Gareth Southgate's blushes and give Villa their third win out of three. The striker scored in the early stages of each half. But after James had twice denied Wanchope the former Liverpool goalkeeper could do nothing about Sinclair's shot - and the points were shared.

Upton Park

2 - 1 (Di Canio, Wanchope)

21 August 1999

Att: 23,631

Referee: A. Wiley

Hislop

Potts

Ferdinand

Pearce

Lomas

Foe

Lampard

Moncur

Sinclair

Wanchope

Di Canio

The eccentric combination of Paulo Wanchope and Paolo Di Canio combined to maintain West Ham's unbeaten start to the season at Upton Park. Emile Heskey had given the visitors the lead in only the third minute, taking advantage of some generous defending to lift the ball over the advancing Shaka Hislop. And with the home side's makeshift defence - Steve Lomas deputising at right back - looking decidedly vulnerable, a first win in 13 attempts at Upton Park looked on the cards for Martin O'Neill's side. But Wanchope and Di Canio had other ideas with a goal apiece either side of half-time to earn Harry Redknapp's men all three points and condemn City to a second defeat of the season.

Bradford & Bingley Stadium

3 - 0 (Di Canio, Sinclair, Wanchope)

28 August 1999

Att: 17,926

Referee: P. Jones

Hislop

Pearce

Potts

Keller

Sinclair

Di Canio

Lomas

Wanchope

Ferdinand (Carrick)

Moncur

Lampard

Paolo Di Canio returned to Yorkshire in ebullient mood to send West Ham cruising to their third successive victory at Bradford. The former Sheffield Wednesday striker was at his inspirational and inventive best to guide the Hammers to a comfortable 3-0 win. The Italian opened the scoring in the 34th minute and then turned provider for Trevor Sinclair (45) and Paulo Wanchope (49). But Di Canio also revealed that his dark side has not totally disappeared when he received a second half caution for diving into a tackle with Gunnar Halle.

Upton Park

1 - 0 (Di Canio)

11 September 1999

Att: 25,310

Referee: D. Gallagher

Hislop

Potts

Stimac

Pearce (Margas)

Sinclair

Lomas

Lampard

Moncur (Carrick)

Keller

Di Canio

Wanchope

Paolo Di Canio produced a wonderful one-man show to give West Ham victory in their last Premiership match before they launch their UEFA Cup campaign. The Italian saw his team-mates squander a string of chances he created in the first half as the Watford goal led a charmed life. But he broke the deadlock on 48 minutes after curling a free-kick from a tight angle around the wall and inside Alec Chamberlain's near post.

Goodison Park

0 - 1

19th September 1999

Att: 35,154

Referee: S. Bennett

Hislop

Keller

Stimac

Potts

Margas

Moncur

Lomas

Lampard

Sinclair

Di Canio

Wanchope

Now Everton are going to be taken seriously in the Premiership after ending West Ham's unbeaten league record. Francis Jeffers bagged a second half goal, with the normally safe Shaka Hislop carrying the can for a bad mistake. The result maintained Everton's unbeaten home record and sent them into an impressive seventh place West Ham arrived with all the right credentials, but for once the front pairing of Paulo Wanchope and Paolo Di Canio just did not click, and they slumped to only their second away league defeat since March 6. That is 12 away matches, and it has been Everton who have twice now been the only blemish on that record.

Highfield Road

0 - 1

25 September 1999

Att: 19,993

Hislop

Potts

Foe

Lomas

Stimac

Moncur

Sinclair

Wanchope

Di Canio

Lampard

Keller (Newton)

Magnus Hedman the giant Swede was magnificent, pulling off a dozen great saves, to send 10-man West Ham plunging to their second away Premiership defeat in a week. Their unbeaten record went at Everton on Sunday, and now Coventry have inflicted another defeat and done their own confidence and league position a world of good. With Carlton Palmer battling for everything in midfield on his debut on loan from Nottingham Forest, and Robbie Keane always a danger, Coventry led from the 36th minute through Mustapha Hadji. West Ham made most of the running after the break, but found Hedman a massive obstacle. The Hammers' cause was not helped by having John Moncur sent off for a senseless kick at Gary McAllister, even if he was provoked by the Scot. Coventry should really have wrapped things up after that 71st minute incident, but still West Ham had most of the attacks until they ran out of steam in the dying minutes.

Paolo Di Canio came back to haunt the Gunners and give West Ham's East End boys a win to remember against their aristocratic London rivals. Di Canio, who earned notoriety against Arsenal last season when he pushed ref Paul Alcock to the ground, floored the Gunners with a goal in each half of an incident-packed Premiership clash. The flamboyant Italian bundled home his first after a West Ham move laced with luck but his second was courtesy of a wonderful piece of skill. Davor Suker pulled one back but memories of Hillsborough were reinforced as Patrick Vieira became embroiled in an ugly scuffle after he was sent-off for a second yellow card by Mike Reed. Reed booked 10 and dismissed Vieira and Marc Vivien Foe in a game which was nothing more sinister than a full-blooded London derby.

West Ham cruised into the fourth round of the Worthington Cup after easily disposing of battling Bournemouth. The final score did little to reflect the dominance of the Hammers over their second division opponents, but everything to do with the ability of their attacking play. Harry Redknapp's side created chance after chance and the final pass let them down every time. Paulo Wanchope and Paolo di Canio were not on the same wavelength for much of the game as West Ham lacked Frank Lampard's usual driving force. In the first half, they should have taken the lead as the opening exchanges saw West Ham camped in the visitors' half of the pitch. But as the minutes ticked by, Bournemouth realised they were still somehow level and began to relax. The ease with which they broke down the West Ham defence at times will offer concern to Redknapp and there was little surprise to see the score was still goal-less at half time. The opening goal finally came on 62 minutes with Marc Keller lashing the ballpast a flying Mark Ovendale from 20 yards. With West Ham finally in the lead it looked as though the floodgates may open as they pushed forward with relish. But Bournemouth had plans of their own and went in search of an equaliser. They were within a whisker of being back on terms nine minutes later when Scott Mean hit the woodwork. But the home side were still in control and it was not long before they had a well-worked second. Di Canio's cross found the head of Wanchope, who headed down to Lampard and he guided the ball into the back of the net.

Brian Deane's fifth goal of the season set Middlesbrough on the road to their first Premiership victory in four attempts as 10-man West Ham wilted under a storm. Deane struck on 51 minutes after former Hammer Paul Ince's shot had been tipped onto the bar by substitute goalkeeper Craig Forrest and substitute Alun Armstrong wrapped it up a minute from time with the inevitable second. Forrest found himself in the thick of the action after first-choice Shaka Hislop was dismissed with just 27 minutes gone for handling the ball outside his area. But while Bryan Robson's side were good value for their victory, they made hard work of it as striker Hamilton Ricard, in particular, passed up several glorious opportunities. Deane could have had a hat-trick as he hit the post and then saw Forrest pull off an amazing late stop, but it was Brazilian Juninho and midfield partner Ince who inspired their side to a second victory in five days.

Trevor Sinclair rescued West Ham with a last-gasp equaliser to shatter Sunderland's hopes of going top of the Premiership. A victory for Sunderland would have seen them lead the top flight, but Sinclair's goal meant Peter Reid's side had to settle for going above Manchester United into third place on goal difference. A pulsating game had everything. Steve Bould was sent off for an off-the-ball elbow on Paulo Wanchope five minutes before England striker Kevin Phillips grabbed his 13th goal of the season. The Hammers bombarded the 10-men but couldn't find a way through, until winger Sinclair raced on to Paolo Di Canio's flick and slotted the ball home.

The new season started early in July as the Hammers were in the Intertoto Cup. The Finnish side Jokerit were beaten 2-1 on aggregate and this was followed up with a 2-0 aggregate win against Dutch side Heerenveen. The Hammers were now in the final, where they faced the French team Metz over two legs. There was disappointment in the home leg as Metz went back to France with a 1-0 lead, but in the return a stirring performance by the Hammers gave them a 3-1 victory and qualification for the UEFA Cup.

In the league there were five wins and a draw in the opening games and by mid-September they were in second place. Also in September the Croatian side Osijek were beaten home and away in the UEFA Cup. It was a busy month in October as Di Canio scored twice against Arsenal in a 2-1 win. The home League Cup game with Bournemouth was won 2-0 but there was no joy in Romania in the UEFA Cup as Steaua Bucharest won 2-0; the Hammers were knocked out after the home leg was drawn 0-0. The good league form continued with home wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Liverpool, and in the League Cup the Hammers progressed after a thrilling 3-2 win at Birmingham City. December proved to be a black month as West Ham gave an inept performance in losing 1–0 in the FA Cup at Tranmere Rovers – the FA’s tinkering with tradition in holding the third round before Christmas has never been repeated. Days later in the League Cup, after a 2-2 draw they beat Aston Villa on penalties. However, it was later found that Manny Omoyinmi (who had come on as a substitute) was ineligible to play and the FA ordered the tie to be replayed, which the Villa won 3-1.

By early February the Hammers were in ninth place as they faced Bradford City at Upton Park. In an amazing game the Hammers were losing 4-2 after 50 minutes yet fought back to win 5-4. Another highlight came in the home game with Wimbledon when Di Canio scored a wonder goal that was later acclaimed as the Goal of the Season. A week later on April Fools’ Day, after taking the lead the Hammers lost 7-1 at Manchester United. West Ham finished the season in ninth place, and had now achieved three top-ten placings in successive seasons.

1 July 1999

JERMAIN DEFOE signs apprentice forms

2 July 1999

ADAM NEWTON signs on loan to PORTSMOUTH for 1 month

6 July 1999

JAVIER MARGAS first Hammer to represent CHILE

BRAZILin the XXXIX Copa America Cup Paraguay 0-1

Eccentric defender Javier Margas became the first West Ham United player to represent Chile.

In the midst of a Copa America campaign in Paraguay

15 July 1999

STAN LAZARIDIS 15th AUSTRALIA cap

versus Triple winnersMANCHESTER UNITED Melbourne Cricket Ground 0-2

18 July 1999

STAN LAZARIDIS 16th AUSTRALIA cap

versus MANCHESTER UNITED at Stadium Australia 0-1

20 July 1999

PAULO CESAR WANCHOPE 23-year-old Costa Rica international signs from DERBY COUNTY for £3.5m

29 July 1999

STAN LAZARIDIS Australian international signs for BIRMINGHAM CITY for £1.6m

1 August 1999

ADAM NEWTON extends his loan to PORTSMOUTH for another month

6 August 1999

ALEXANDER O’REILLY joins NORTHAMPTON TOWN on loan

18 August 1999

STEVE LOMAS 13th NORTHERN IRELAND cap

FRANCE International Friendly Belfast 0-1 (31 caps)

19 August 1999

GARY ALEXANDER joins EXETER CITY on loan for 1 month

27 August 1999

IAN WRIGHT unable to command a regular first team place joins NOTTINGHAM FOREST on loan for 1 month

GRANT McCANN Northern Ireland international signs on loan to LIVINGSTON

West Ham United took advantage of a second half sending off to register a 4-3 win from a see-saw game against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999. Both the Hammers and the Owls traded the lead on a hectic Boleyn Ground day, but it was the Hammers who eventually prevailed. The opening exchanges were goalless, but the blue touchpaper was lit when Paulo Wanchope gave West Ham a 28th minute lead. Ten minutes later the Owls were level thanks to Petter Rudi, and then just three minutes after the break Wim Jonk turned the game on its head. West Ham then levelled just past the hour thanks to a Paolo Di Canio penalty, but Sheffield Wednesday were back in front thanks to Andy Booth's 66th minute goal. But the visitors had Danny Sonner sent off two minutes later and the Hammers profited with strikes from Marc-Vivien Foe and Frank Lampard.

23 November 1999

STEPHEN BYWATER joins HULL CITY on loan

GARY CHARLES makes his Hammers debut against BIRMINGHAM CITY at St Andrews

7 December 1999

OMER RIZA signs from ARSENAL for a £20,000 fee

17 December 1999

MICHAEL CARRICK extends his one month loan period with SWINDON TOWN for another month

21 December 1999

EMMANUEL OMOYIMNI joins SCUNTHORPE UNITED on loan

For the Hammers it was a trip to Selhurst Park where they faced Wimbledon in a Premier League clash. West Ham were looking for their first away win for four months. It was a bad start as Hreidarsson headed home for the home side after 21 minutes. On the stroke of half time a cross from Paolo Di Canio was headed home by Trevor Sinclair for the equalizer. Buoyed by that lifeline the Hammers gave a far more positive account of themselves after the break. Paulo Wanchope went close with a sizzling 15 yarder and then with a diving header which went inches wide. With ten minutes left Frank Lampard arrived in the box to glance home a cross from Di Canio and a victory looked to be in sight. Disaster struck five minutes from the end as a routine cross was fumbled by Hammers golakeeper Shaka Hislop and Neal Ardley tapped in the loose ball for the Dons to draw level.